HHS, on August 14, issued a final “blueprint” that states can use to operate their own health insurance exchanges. The blueprint details the functions that state-based exchanges will perform, how exchanges operated as partnerships between the federal government and states will perform, and what actions states may take in “federal facilitated” exchanges.nnFor example, a state-based exchange may opt to use the federal government to determine the advance premium tax credit (APTC) and cost-sharing reduction, the individual responsibility requirement and payment exemptions, reinsurance, and risk adjustment. States seeking to operate a state-based exchange or electing to participate in a state partnership exchange must submit a complete exchange blueprint no later than 30 business days prior to the required approval date of January 1 (November 16, 2012, for plan year 2014). The blueprint is available here.nnSource: www.polsinelli.com; August 5, 2012.
